Jesse answers listener questions about credit card spending in YNAB, the need for emergency funds, and saving for a down payment in a rising housing market. Other topics include being in control of finances, communicating financial goals, prioritizing decisions, managing timing, and concerns about debit card fraud.

In this podcast, Jesse Meekham talks about the importance of including a partner in budget meetings. He also discusses paying off debt, increasing retirement contributions, and making tough financial decisions like paying off student loans or investing. The podcast provides practical strategies for improving finances and emphasizes the significance of personal preference in making financial decisions.

Jesse answers listener questions about credit card favoritism, minimum purchase requirements, gratitude, budgeting strategies, and the illusion of money. They discuss the importance of play, managing debt for education expenses, and the impact of credit cards on financial success.

The podcast discusses topics such as mortgage rates, variable and fixed rates and the pros and cons of mortgage brokers versus banks. It also touches on effective meetings, frustrations of credit card limits, transitioning to a cash-only lifestyle, the impact of inflation on banks and the value of money, managing overspending, and the importance of hitting financial goals.

The host reflects on their hiatus, discusses their decision to not use credit cards, explores frugality and stepping away from consumerism, and talks about making the credit card experiment permanent

Discover how to handle increased expenses in your budget and roll with the punches emotionally. Learn from Ben's experience renovating a bathroom and find out how he keeps his spirits up when plans have to be put on hold. Explore rising child care expenses, unexpected setbacks, and the importance of staying positive and disciplined in budgeting.

Ernie is running solo today, and sharing some recent developments in his financial life that have made him rethink his budget entirely. YNAB'ers are creatures of habit, and many of us enjoy the budgets we have created and honed over the years as neat pieces of work in themselves. But as Jesse has said over and over on the podcast, the budget really exists to serve your needs and help you prioritize your spending in accordance with your values. Life is dynamic, and sometimes those needs change!   That means the budget needs to change with your life. Ernie shares how he blew up his budget and started over after a series of home renovation projects and medical bills started taxing his existing category balances. Money stress started building -- even veteran YNAB'ers are not immune to it! -- and he realized the budget was no longer serving his needs. That's the takeaway: don't be too precious with the budget you've created, even if it has served you well for a long time. And understand that money stress happens to everyone, and that's OK!     Got a question for Jesse? Send him an email: askjesse@ynab.com   Follow Ben and Ernie on the Budget Nerds Podcast Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/budget-nerds/id1606054345 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0H1u8pqYrvz6zj6noHbkB3?si=fc181a82b8d540a6   Sign up for a free 34-day trial of YNAB at www.youneedabudget.com

Explore the evolution of YNAB's Four Rules over the years, from a simple spreadsheet to an essential budgeting method. Learn about the correlation between rule three and four, the concept of aging your money, zero-based budgeting, and the rule about mistakes and paying yourself back. Discover the personal anecdotes about the embrace of the rules and the importance of timing in spending. Dive into the current rules including giving every dollar a job, embracing true expenses, rolling with the punches, and aging your money.

Ben and Ernie share their personal experiences talking to their partners about budgeting and YNAB. Every family is different, and every partnership will handle communicating about money and budgeting differently, but the important thing is that you do it! Frequent, regular money conversations help everyone stay on the same page and focused on the same goals, whether one person manages all the YNAB details or each person shares equally in that task.   Got a question for Jesse? Send him an email: askjesse@ynab.com   Follow Ben and Ernie on the Budget Nerds Podcast Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/budget-nerds/id1606054345 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0H1u8pqYrvz6zj6noHbkB3?si=fc181a82b8d540a6   Sign up for a free 34-day trial of YNAB at www.youneedabudget.com

It's peak vacation season, so Ben and Ernie are comparing notes on handling the vacation budget in the moment. One the one hand, you want vacation to be vacation -- a time to unplug, be in the present moment, engaged with your family and friends. On the other hand, waiting until the end of the trip to categorize all your transactions can be overwhelming! Ben and Ernie share their approach to managing the transaction log without going crazy or burying your face in your phone the whole trip.   Got a question for Jesse? Send him an email: askjesse@ynab.com   Follow Ben and Ernie on the Budget Nerds Podcast Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/budget-nerds/id1606054345 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0H1u8pqYrvz6zj6noHbkB3?si=fc181a82b8d540a6   Sign up for a free 34-day trial of YNAB at www.youneedabudget.com